It's finally here!!!

[truetarheelraider0806]

I know we are the defending national championship in basketball. But UNC football is finally back. I am looking forward to a season where we surprise a lot of people. I think Brandon Harris will flourish in this offense. His strengths we're taylor made for coaches offense. The defense is gonna be good maybe not elite but good. LETS GO HEELS!!!

 

[Archer2]

I'm excited about the new season. Hope springs eternal.

 

[nolegeorge]

Good luck to you all this season ...

 

[ohio tarheels]

Looking forward to it as always, not sure though I share the optimism of the OP

 

[dgheel57]

Gotta have faith....Go heels!

 

[Archer2]

Some years I'm extremely optimistic, like last year. Some years I'm cautiously optimistic, like this year. But I'm always ready to support the Heels. Haven't been to a game in 3 years. I'm going to make one this year., come hell or high water.

 

[truetarheelraider0806]

TAR!!!!!!!! HEELLLLLLSSSSSS!!!!!

 

[Raising Heel]

Some years I'm extremely optimistic, like last year. Some years I'm cautiously optimistic, like this year. But I'm always ready to support the Heels. Haven't been to a game in 3 years. I'm going to make one this year., come hell or high water.

Good man. Remind me, where are you traveling from?

 

[rdcb]

Man I am going to make it to every game possible this year. Already have tickets to the Cal, Louisville, and GT games and I plan on making the drive from Florida for the ND game. This will be the most games I have been to since I joined the Air Force back in'13. I'm too ready for this season

 

[uncboy10]

16-0

 

[Roady]

The schedule does not give much time for a learning curve...opening with Cal and then Louisville.

The good news is that Cal was 5-7 last year and is projected to be last in their division this year. The bad news is that Louisville will have a very good defense to go with Lamar Jackson and should be a 9 game winner.

 

[truetarheelraider0806]

Meh Louisville lost a lot of offensive weapens and d line talent I think we lose but surprise a lot of people with how close the game is

 

[uncboy10]

One of the biggest keys to winning games in this system is stopping the run. We were dead last in the ACC last year in rushing yards allowed per game. A successful running game is crucial to beating a spread offense. If teams can't run the ball on us, then they can't keep our offense off the field. It becomes much harder to string together first downs, and all of a sudden that high power spread offense starts getting way more opportunities to score because they're spending more time on the field, and with better field position.

This could be a surprising year if the defense plays well against the run, and prevents the big plays in the passing game. Especially if the offensive line plays well and gives the new QB time to operate. Damn near anybody can sit back there and complete passes if they have time to make the throw.

Personally, I think we will beat both Cal and L'ville.

 

[Archer2]

Good man. Remind me, where are you traveling from?

Greensboro. Not far at all.

 

[DSouthr]

You guys more plugged in to football than I, how settled is our tail back strength and depth? How solid do you guys feel about that position, IMO we will be able to throw the ball but can we run it? Disclaimer, I feel good with our oline...

 

[KOOL123]

You guys more plugged in to football than I, how settled is our tail back strength and depth? How solid do you guys feel about that position, IMO we will be able to throw the ball but can we run it? Disclaimer, I feel good with our oline...

Very Young at RB...we pretty much lost all of our offense production from last year...Passing and Running....Truth be told this will be a telling year for the D...They might have to carry this team....

 

[Raising Heel]

Here are our scholarship RBs on the roster:

Stanton Truitt - **** Graduate transfer from Auburn, 37 career carries
Jordon Brown - **** Sophomore, 20 career carries
Johnathon Sutton - *** Sophomore, converted Linebacker
Michael Carter - *** Freshman
Antwuan Branch - *** Freshman

This is what @KOOL123 meant when he said we were very young. Fifty-seven combined college carries for the five guys most likely to see playing time. It's hard not to be concerned about our depth and talent level because we just can't be sure what we've got.

 

[truetarheelraider0806]

And it looks like we are not gonna get that apb bekton he is trending towards VT

 

[TarHeelNation11]

Here are our scholarship RBs on the roster:

Stanton Truitt - **** Graduate transfer from Auburn, 37 career carries
Jordon Brown - **** Sophomore, 20 career carries
Johnathon Sutton - *** Sophomore, converted Linebacker
Michael Carter - *** Freshman
Antwuan Branch - *** Freshman

This is what @KOOL123 meant when he said we were very young. Fifty-seven combined college carries for the five guys most likely to see playing time. It's hard not to be concerned about our depth and talent level because we just can't be sure what we've got.

Just to add a couple of pieces of information to this post:

- Though he's a grad transfer, Truitt will have two years of eligibility at Carolina.
- Don't let Carter's 3*** ranking fool you into thinking he's not one of our better options. He possibly has the most potential of any of the backs on our roster not named Truitt. See below for his Hudl film:

 

[Raising Heel]

Just to add a couple of pieces of information to this post

Also note that the three guys likely to get the most PT -- Truitt, Brown, and Carter -- are all under 200 lbs. If you already thought our goal-line play calling was a concern, hoooo boy.

cc: @gteeitup

 

[TarHeelNation11]

Also note that the three guys likely to get the most PT -- Truitt, Brown, and Carter -- are all under 200 lbs. If you already thought our goal-line play calling was a concern, hoooo boy.

cc: @gteeitup

 

[lerario]

Maybe this is where your Logan Byrd Tebowesque package could come into play?

 

[TarHeelNation11]

Maybe this is where your Logan Byrd Tebowesque package could come into play?

I'm telling you dude, big hoss could be a load to bring down if you hand him the ball and let him go. Check out his H.S. film.

 

[gteeitup]

Also note that the three guys likely to get the most PT -- Truitt, Brown, and Carter -- are all under 200 lbs. If you already thought our goal-line play calling was a concern, hoooo boy.

cc: @gteeitup

poop emoji

 

[gteeitup]

wait, they're not running the ball in goal to go anyway.

 

[blazers]

^Marquise had tons of goal-line rushing TD's

 

[gteeitup]

^Marquise had tons of goal-line rushing TD's

true...but i like options and a healthy qb.

 

[heelmanwilm]

Always love and support the heels but i'm puzzled over the optimism. I cant talk myself into thinking we win more than 6 games. Lots of people who havent played a down are gonna have to perform at a hi level to change that imo.

 

[blazers]

^ I agree.
Marlon transferring means more reps for true Frosh Riley or undersized Strowbridge.

Khaliel not playing means more reps for newbie Polino, other newbies or Hatton/Prince who def weren't ready last yr.

And people are commenting on the possibility that Dazz gets tons of reps. No prob with a rookie skill player being a dynamo, but that is a bit of a sign that guys like ARW/Juval aren't stepping up to force Proehl into the slot. And the more worrisome part is that they were talking about it before he even got into camp, so it isn't like his on-field performance vs MJ Stewart and co is the reason for the move.

The starting QB is going to have be mistake free and a fantastic runner for us to stay in the shoot-outs this yr.

 

[tarheel0910]

Just to add a couple of pieces of information to this post:

- Though he's a grad transfer, Truitt will have two years of eligibility at Carolina.
- Don't let Carter's 3*** ranking fool you into thinking he's not one of our better options. He possibly has the most potential of any of the backs on our roster not named Truitt. See below for his Hudl film:

View embedded media

Agreed 100% on Carter. I think he will be a 1,000 yard back before he leaves. Not saying it happens this year, but I think it will happen at some point. He was easily a four star in my opinion.

 

[blazers]

Good article here, mostly regarding Harris: https://accsports.com/acc-analytics/brandon-harris-unc-stat-dive/

Lots of statistical info backing up his video which says he's a good runner. 7.5 hlt/opp in 2015, Marquise was 7.6.

 

[truetarheelraider0806]

The new starters come at qb, running back and wide out while we are thin at rb there is room for optomism there as I like Jordan Brown and I think Carter is a stud. Wide outs have a lot of unproven but the talent level is excellent we return most of our o-line and d line I expect us to surprise a lot of people with how good we play. But hey I am an optimist by nature

 

[TarPitLover]

Some years I'm extremely optimistic, like last year. Some years I'm cautiously optimistic, like this year. But I'm always ready to support the Heels. Haven't been to a game in 3 years. I'm going to make one this year., come hell or high water.

Yeah it seems like when I allow myself to be 'extremely optimistic', as was I last year as well, we seem to under-perform. But when my expectations are 'cautiously optimistic', we seem to do well. We fans are a curious bunch. No matter what my guts tells me though, I get excited this time of the year for college football. This is my favorite time of the year...love the November overlap of FB and BB. Good stuff...